England v Italy key clashes: Tom Cleverley v Daniele De Rossi

The key clash in England’s international friendly against Italy tonight will be between youngster Tom Cleverley and the experienced Daniele De Rossi.

Daniele De Rossi will take centre stage tonight in Berne (Picture: EPA)

Tom Cleverly will try and become England’s new playmaker (Picture: Getty Images)

After another tournament in which England looked rudderless in midfield, fit-again Tom Cleverley gets the chance to show he can cure the Three Lions’ playmaking paralysis.

Cleverley’s Manchester United displays early last season and his assured GB performances at the Olympics suggest he won’t be inhibited on the international stage.

Italy will be a step up in class from the opponents he faced at London 2012, of course. None more so than Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi, whose all-action game was the perfect complement to Andrea Pirlo’s tempo-setting during Euro 2012.